Report on behalf of Government of NCT of Delhi on the status of CETP/ETP/STP, 27/10/2023

Report on behalf of Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to the National Green Tribunal order, August 17, 2023.

Due to the coordinated action taken by the various concerned departments on the eight action points of the "Action Plan for Rejuvenation of river Yamuna" the water quality of the river has improved in the period of January 2023 to September 2023. This is in comparison to the year 2022.

Likewise, the water quality of the Najafgarh drain and river Yamuna with respect to the BOD, COD and faecal coliform in Najafgarh drain, ISBT and Asgarpur have improved significantly. Delhi Jal Board (DJB) which is responsible for the treatment and disposal of sewage in NCT of Delhi is operating 37 operational STPs in Delhi. DJB has a capacity augmentation plan to meet the gap and accommodate future increase in sewage generation. The gap in treatment capacity is 125 MGD (15.8 per cent) and the gap in treatment is 242 MGD (30.6 per cent).

As per the analysis reports of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) laboratory for the month of September 2023, 14 out of 37 operational STPs of DJB were found meeting the standards prescribed by the DPCC and 35 were found meeting the design parameters. Out of 639 JJ clusters in Delhi, 580 clusters have been connected with the sewerage system or with decentralised STPs for treatment of sewage.

The report informed the tribunal that there are 22 drains which are falling into river Yamuna in Delhi. Out of these 22 drains, 9 drains have been trapped, 2 drains are partially tapped and in case of two large drains (Najafgarh drain and Shahdara drain), it is technically not feasible to trap the whole drain. However, these drains are included in the Interceptor Sewer Project where substantial flow of sub-drains under their command areas has been/will be trapped and treated. 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), August 17, 2023 had directed the state PCBs/PCCs to submit the compliance report within two months regarding the establishment and functioning of requisite ETPs/CETPs/STPs.